Indiana Department of Natural Resources

I am a resident of Canada and I want to know if I can participate in your screening process?

Answer

No, 312 IAC 4-5-2 states that a person who wishes to apply to become a conservation officer must be a United States citizen.

Question

I will turn 21 years old two days after the scheduled graduation day for the recruit school. Can I still participate in the screening process?

Answer

Yes, you must be 21 years old on the date of your appointment as a conservation officer. If you are not 21 years old upon graduation from recruit school, you will be placed on a waiting list until your 21st birthday and there is an open position to place you in.

Question

I attended a college that I'm not sure meets your requirements. How can I find out?

Answer

Our regulations state that you must have an associate degree or completed 2 years towards a bachelor degree "from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. You can determine this by contacting your college or university and asking them if they are accredited and by whom. (No trade school degrees accepted.)

Question

I was arrested for speeding a few years ago, will this keep me from becoming a conservation officer?

Answer

Not necessarily, we conduct a thorough background investigation on all applicants, as long as we do not find a poor driving history one speeding ticket will not automatic eliminate you. NOTE: It could eliminate you, however, if you fail to inform us about the arrest and we find out.

Question

If I get hired can I work in the area that I currently live in?

Answer

You must be willing to reside and serve anywhere within Indiana as designated by the division director. Assignments are made according to where we have vacant positions. It is possible to be assigned to your home county, however, it is somewhat rare for this to occur on your initial assignment.

Question

What salary can I expect should I be hired as an Indiana Conservation Officer?

Answer

Indiana Conservation Officers are on the same 20 year pay matrix as the Indiana State Excise Police and the Indiana State Police.

Breakdown of the salary.

Pay for a recruit in training is $1,403.50 biweekly. After graduation from Recruit School pay for a Probationary officer (PO) is $38,067 ($1,464.10 biweekly). After the probationary year, the salary increases to $39,699 ($1,526.90 biweekly). Officers receive annual pay increases on their anniversary date, toping out in 20 years at $60,008 ($2,308.00 biweekly). Opportunity for advancement is available after an Officers probationary year. The following is the ICO ranking and top salary structure.